Beneath the California sun, stands Fire Station 112 in San Pedro. It is more than just a fire station. It’s a guardian of the harbor and a museum of maritime firefighting history. Fire Station 112 is part of the South Bureau.
This station houses a remarkable piece of history. It shelters the Ralph J. Scott, a national historic landmark. The Ralph J. Scott is an old fire boat.
Commissioned in 1925, the Ralph J. Scott is a classic. This fireboat measures 99 feet long. It has a 19-foot beam. Its six pumps produce 10200 gallons of water per minute. Imagine the force. The Ralph J. Scott was retired in 2003. It now sits in a cradle behind Fire Station 112.
Originally named Los Angeles City No. 2, she was built at the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp. The fire boat launched on October 20, 1925. The boat cost $214000. It went to sea with 14 officers and firefighters. Later, it was renamed Ralph J. Scott. This honored the city’s innovative Chief Engineer.
The Ralph J. Scott played a role in many significant fires. It served longer than any other single piece of apparatus.
When built, the boat had seven 350-horsepower engines. These were 6-cylinder in-line Winton gasoline engines. There were six Byron Jackson pumps. Each pump was rated at 1700 G.P.M. This made a total output of 10200 G.P.M. In 1975, the gasoline engines were replaced with diesels.
The Ralph J. Scott carried a lot of equipment. It had breathing apparatus and forcible entry tools. It also had heavy stream appliances. There were CO-2 cylinders, floodlights, and smoke ejectors. The boat featured drag hooks and Mystery nozzles. It also had tips up to 6 inches for the largest deck turret.
Fire Station 112 also features the new Fireboat No. 2. It was dedicated on April 12, 2003. It is the world’s most powerful fireboat. Robert Allan Ltd. designed the boat in Vancouver, B.C. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders built it. Fireboat No. 2 has modern firefighting technology. It has a medical treatment area and powerful engines.
Fire Station 112 provides exhibits. They cover the history of L.A. fireboats. You can explore the construction and uses of these vessels. There is no charge for the exhibits.
Today, the Port of Los Angeles plans to develop a new facility. This will house the restored Ralph J. Scott. It will be near Fire Station 112 and Ports of Call Village. The boat is a historic artifact on the U.S. Register of Historic Places.
The LAFD Historical Society is working to complete a restoration plan. They need your help to make the fire boat admired. Consider a donation to help.
So, Fire Station 112 is not just a station. It’s a link to the past. It’s a testament to the bravery and innovation of firefighters. It protects our harbor and preserves our history.